Ring-shifting device for type-writing machines.



' PATENTED Kim. 16, 1904. G. M. KITZMILLER. RING SHIFTING DEVICE FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED r113. 16. 1904.

a sums-4mm 1.

N0 MODEL.

Wdwmnfoz witness e0 v 4 6 M No. 767,945. PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904.

G. M. IKIT'ZMILLER.

RING SHIPTING DEVICE FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES. Arruouron mum ran. 16.1904.

no MODEL. I s sums-sum 2 N5. 767,945. Y PATENTBD AUG. 16, 1904. G. M. KI'IfZMILLBR. RING SHIFTINGYDEVIGE FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

nruornorrunn ran 16. 1904.

- no MODEL. a SEEETE-BHEET a.

1 1E 4 I I I Q 7 flnwnfoz I witnesses 1 vertically movable, so that capital and small let- U ITED STATES Patented August 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE M. KITZMILLER, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO, THE ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER COMPANY OF NORFOLK, INCORPORATED,

OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

RING-SHIF'QIING. DEVICEFORL'TYPEPWRITING MACHINES.

SPEOIFIGATIQN'forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,945, dated August 16, 1904. Application filed February 16, 1904. Serial No. 193,782. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. KITZMILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and use- .ful Improvements: in Ring-Shifting Devices for Type-Writing Machines; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description' of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same.

My invention relatesto shifting mechanism by which the ring supporting the type-bars is ters,known also as upper and "lower case, may be printed and raised as often as desired. The change from lower to upper case is usually done' by shifting the platen; but in my invention the same result is accomplished by providing an inner frame within the ordinary frame of the type-writing machine, suitably arranged on rollers and tracks, as will be more fully explained hereinafte 1 Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation, one side of the frame being removed. Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the keylever mechanism and its locking device. Fig. 5 is a plan of the same. Fig. 6 is a horizontal plan of the track for the inner frame. Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan of one corner of the outer and-inner frame or box, showing the manner of securing the'trackand rollers or wheels.

In the drawings, like reference characters refer to similarparts throughout the several views.

1 is the main or outside frame.

2 is the inner frame, which is vertically movable within the frame by means of tracks 7, which are grooved to fit rollers 9 at each corner of theinnerframe 2. The frame 2 is rectangular, square, or of a box form, so as to adapt-it to lit the shape of the outer frame of the machine. The inner fits within the outer frame, and therefore takes up very little room, being confined mostly to the sides and ends of the outer frame, and enables convenient connection to be made with the type-bar- 'in shape to the boxes. 13.-

ring supports 2 and other movable parts of the machine.

2 and 3 are similar projections or supports for holding the type-bar-supporting rings, as shown on Fig. 1.

5 is a divided guide-baracross the diameter of the ring 10. The bar 5 is connected by the inner frame 2 on its projection 2 at or near I its upper extremity, as shown inFig. 3;

6 represents curved guides for guiding the type-bars to the platen. 7 represents tracks located in each corner of the outer frame 1 by screws or other means.

v9 represents rollers or wheels for movably supporting the inner frame 2. The rollers or wheels 9 are concave, but they may be of a V shape or flanged and run upon a flat instead of a curved track, as shown.

The wheels 9 are supported in boxes 13, Fig. 7, provided with flanges, so they can be fastened to the flattened corners of the inner frame 2. by means of the screws if after being inserted in apertures 14; in the frame 2, corresponding Each corner of the inner frame, as at 2 Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 7, are flattened, so as to leave a space between it and the outer frame for the tracks 7 and rollers 9. Thetrack 7 is provided with flanges 12, which are at right angles to each other, as

shown-in Fig. 7.

11 represents curved supports for the typebar-supporting ring 10.

15 is the keyboard.

16 is a ring for supporting the type-bars when not in use.

18 represents the shift key-levers.

19 is a curved-face lug under the movable inner frame '2 and is for the purpose of engaging with the arm 20 on the shaft 26, which extends across the machine, as shown in Fig. 2, and is supported on bearing-blocks 29. The arm 20 and lug 19 is usually placed in the center of the frame 2, as shown in Fig.1. When the shift-key-le'ver button23 on the shift-lever 18 is depressed, the crank 21 is lowered and the arm 20 is raised, and with it-the inner frame 2, which raises the typebar ring 10, and thereby causes the change-from lower to upper case. WV hen it is desired to print entirely in capital letters, the eccentric 4A on its axis or support 4.1 is lowered by means of the arm or handle I3, which locks the lever down, and consequently the inner frame remains elevated until released. The rod 26 is connected to two shift key-levers, as shown in Fig. 2, both sides being like that shown in Figs. 4: and 5. The rod 24 is pivoted to the shift key-lever 18 by the pin or screw 24. The lever 18 is fulcrumed to a block 22, fastened to the outer frame of the machine and works loosely on the screw or pin 22.

I am not confined to the exact shape of the inner frame 2, as it varies according to the type of machine it is to be used upon. In Fig. 1 it is shown cut away from the bottom of the machine upward for lightness; but it may be of a box form as well. I prefer to make the inner frame of aluminium or some other light metal, though thinly-rolled steel may be used to advantage. I am also not confined to the exact methods shown on the drawings, and in the construction of the machine I may use modifications 0f the same and still keep within the matter'herein shown and claimed.

The tracks 7 have flanges 12, as shown, having apertures for fastening same to the outer frame. The flanges are at right angles to each other in order to fit into the corners of the outer frame.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a ring-shifting device for type-writing machines, the combination with a movable inner rectangular or square frame inclosed within the outer frame of the machine, the said inner frame being provided with .wheels or rollers, and tracks for the said rollers or wheels secured to the outer frame, and means for raising and lowering the said inner frame upon the said tracks, as described.

2. In a ring-shifting mechanism for typewriting machines, the combination with avertically movable inner rectangular or box frame inclosed in the outer frame of the ma-- chine, the said rectangular frame having flattened corners to admit of a space between the sa1d rectangular and outer frames, the sa1d flattened corners being provided with rollers,-

and tracks secured to the outer frame for guiding the roller-supported inner frame, as described.

3. In a ring-shifting mechanism for typewritingmachines, the combination with a movable roller-supported inner frame within the outer frame of the machine, the said frame having flattened corners opposite the corners of the outer frame, a concave roller or wheel on each corner of the said inner frame, a track on the outer frame for guiding each end of the inner frame, a lug or projection having a curved surface under the said inner frame and a movable pivoted arm beneath the said lug for raising and lowering the said inner frame, as described.

I. In a ring-shifting device for type-writing machines, the combination with a movable ring-supporting frame inclosed in the outer frame of the machine, the said frame having flattened ends opposite the corners of the outer frame, and rollers or wheels at each end of the said flattened corners, a guide or track conforming to the angle of the corners of the outer frame, a lug or lifting-block having a curved surface under the said inner frame, a key-lever connected to one arm of a bell-crank, a rod extending across the machine for the bell-crank, an arm or lug on the inner frame, a pivoted key-lever, parallel with the crank and means for depressing the said crank by the said key-lever and raising the said arm to shift the said inner frame, as described.

5. In a type-bar ring-shifting mechanism for type-writing machines, the combination with a movably-supported frame inclosed in the outer frame of the machine, and concave rollers or wheels on the said frame for guiding the same, a flattened corner at each end of the inner frame, apertures in the said flattened corners for receiving the rollers or wheels, a concave track having flanges at right angles to each other, a lug under the said inner frame, a movable rod extending across the machine, an arm inclined at varying angles connected to the said rod, a crank connected to the said arm, and key-levers parallelto the said crank, means for rocking the said crank and arm by depressing the key-levers and means for locking the said key-levers to maintain the said frame at its greatest height, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the preseence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE M. KITZMILLER.

WVitnesses:

J. E. HARPER, LEON T. SEAWELL. 

